Albert Ellis
Born 1913 · Age 113
American psychologist and psychotherapist; founder of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and the Albert Ellis Institute; prolific author and major figure in the cognitive revolution of psychotherapy.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Albert Ellis was born to Harry and Hattie Ellis; eldest of three children.
Hospitalized with kidney disease (childhood illness)
At age five Ellis was hospitalized with a kidney disease; part of multiple childhood hospitalizations.
Multiple childhood hospitalizations (ages 5–7)
Ellis had repeated health problems including tonsillitis leading to serious streptococcal infection; reported eight hospitalizations between ages 5 and 7.
Developed frotteuristic sexual behaviors in adolescence
Ellis later wrote he became addicted to nonconsensual frotteurism beginning at about age 15 and continued into his twenties; he later expressed remorse.
Self-exposure therapy: spoke to 100+ women to overcome shyness
As a teenager he forced himself to talk to over 100 women in the Bronx Botanical Gardens to desensitize fear of rejection and shyness.
Graduated BA (business) from City College of New York (Baruch)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in business (then the City College of New York Downtown).
Early career: business and fiction writing
Worked briefly in business and attempted a career as a fiction writer, then pivoted to non-fiction writing on human sexuality.
First marriage to Karyl Corper
Married actress Karyl Corper in 1938; marriage later annulled.
Began PhD studies in clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University
Entered doctoral program in clinical psychology (Columbia University) in 1942; trained mainly in psychoanalysis at the time.
Completed MA in Clinical Psychology (Teachers College, Columbia)
Awarded Master of Arts in clinical psychology in June 1943; began part-time private practice while completing PhD.
Published critique of pencil-and-paper personality tests
Published article critiquing many popular personality tests; concluded MMPI met research standards.
Awarded PhD in Clinical Psychology (Columbia University)
Received doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 1947 and subsequently trained in psychoanalysis (Jungian analysis with Richard Hulbeck).
Began teaching and held staff positions (NYU, Rutgers, Pittsburg State)
Taught at New York University, Rutgers University, and Pittsburg State University and occupied leading staff positions shortly after PhD.
Published The Folklore of Sex
One of his early books on sexuality (1951); part of his growing public profile as a sex researcher/writer.
Break with psychoanalysis; begins calling himself a rational therapist
By January 1953 Ellis had completed his break from classical psychoanalysis and started advocating a more active-directive therapy.
Started teaching his new techniques to other therapists
Began instructing therapists in his active/directive rational methods, a precursor to REBT.
Presented Rational Therapy (RT)
Presented his rational therapy model (therapist disputes clients' irrational beliefs and promotes rational constructs).
Second marriage to Rhoda Winter
Married dancer Rhoda Winter in 1956; marriage ended in divorce (date unspecified).
Published How to Live with a Neurotic
Popular book elaborating his new methods; increased his public profile.
Published Sex Without Guilt
Classic work advocating liberal attitudes toward sex; associated him with the sexual revolution.
Founded Institute for Rational Living (later Albert Ellis Institute)
Established a non-profit training institute and clinic in NYC to teach and disseminate his methods.
Presented REBT paper at APA convention (Chicago)
Presented a paper on his cognitive-emotive-behavioral approach at the American Psychological Association convention; limited immediate acceptance.
Worked with Alfred Kinsey and sex-research community
Collaborated/associated with figures like Alfred Kinsey and contributed to sexology literature and debate in the 1950s–60s.
Published A Guide to Rational Living
Popular self-help/practitioner book disseminating his ABC model and techniques.
Published Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy (first major REBT book)
First major book on REBT, formally laying out his therapeutic system that later became a core of CBT.
Contributed to The Realist magazine
Wrote 'if this be heresy... Is pornography harmful to children?' for Paul Krassner's magazine; part of public commentary on sexuality.
Began leading Friday Night Workshops
From 1965 until the end of his life he led public therapy workshops (live demonstrations) weekly.
Published Homosexuality: Its Causes and Cure
Published controversial book that initially treated homosexuality as pathological; later revised views.
Long-term relationship with Janet L. Wolfe begins
From 1965 to 2002 he lived in an open relationship with Janet L. Wolfe, who later served as executive director of the institute.
Institute chartered by NY State Board of Regents
Institute for Rational Living was chartered as a training institute and psychological clinic by the New York State Board of Regents.
Institute launched a professional journal
Late 1960s his institute launched a professional journal to disseminate REBT research and practice.
Named Humanist of the Year (American Humanist Association)
Recognized for his forthright humanistic, nontheistic stance and contributions to humanism and psychology.
Published Growth Through Reason: Verbatim Cases in Rational-Emotive Therapy
Book of verbatim case material illustrating his method.
Established The Living School for children (early 1970s)
Created early-childhood program (ages 6–13) incorporating RE(B)T curriculum; short-lived but influential to attendees.
Published Overcoming Procrastination and How to Master Your Fear of Flying
Continued prolific authorship with practical self-help and therapy titles.
Handbook of Rational-Emotive Therapy published (with Russell Greiger & contributors)
Major professional handbook consolidating REBT practice and research.
Began integrity assessment research (1979 onward)
Initiated research into behavioral integrity, reliability, honesty and loyalty using applied experimental psychology.
Survey ranked Ellis 2nd most influential psychotherapist (US/Canada)
A 1982 professional survey placed him second only to Carl Rogers in influence among psychotherapists.
Most-cited author after 1957 (analysis of US psychology journals)
1982 analysis found Ellis to be the most-cited author after 1957 in U.S. psychology journals, reflecting scholarly impact.
APA award for Distinguished Professional Contributions (Applied Research)
Received a major award from the American Psychological Association recognizing lifetime professional contribution.
ACA Professional Development Award (and other honors)
Received awards from counseling and CBT organizations acknowledging contributions to therapy and training.
Published collaborative books on eating, addiction and aging
Co-authored works like The Art and Science of Rational Eating and When AA Doesn't Work For You; continued collaborative scholarship.
Revised Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy (1994 edition)
Updated his 1962 classic to reflect developments in REBT and clinical practice.
Outstanding Clinician Award (American Psychological Association)
Recognized for his clinical work and influence on psychotherapy practice.
Published How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable
Late-career self-help publication continuing his prolific authorship.
Published How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything
Popular self-help title published at the turn of the century.
Updated Sex Without Guilt (2001 edition)
Published Sex Without Guilt in the Twenty-First Century, revising earlier positions and reflecting later humanistic views.
End of long relationship with Janet L. Wolfe
Relationship with Janet L. Wolfe ended after 37 years (1965–2002).
90th birthday: congratulatory messages from world leaders and public figures
Received messages from US presidents, senators, the Dalai Lama and others in recognition of longevity and influence.
Award from Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (UK)
Received recognition from the UK REBT association for lifetime contribution to the field.
Serious intestinal problems; large intestine removed (hospitalized)
Underwent major surgery (large intestine removed); returned to work after months of supportive care.
Married Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
Married Australian psychologist Debbie Joffe (described as the greatest love of his life).
Removed from professional duties and board of his institute
Was removed from duties and the board of the Albert Ellis Institute after a management dispute.
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Lifetime Achievement (2005)
Received Lifetime Achievement Award from ABCT recognizing long-term influence on behavioral/cognitive therapies.
Reinstated to the institute board after civil proceedings (Jan 2006)
Won civil proceedings and was reinstated to the board of the Albert Ellis Institute.
Fell ill at age 92
Serious illness began in 2006 that limited his activities; nonetheless he continued to work with assistance from his wife.
New York State Psychological Association Lifetime Distinguished Service Award (2006)
Recognized by NYS psychological professional body for distinguished service.
Hospitalized with pneumonia (April 2006)
Spent more than a year between hospital and rehabilitation; significant health decline.
Authored/co-authored over 80 books and 1,200 articles
By the time of his death Ellis had authored/co-authored more than 80 books and roughly 1,200 articles (including ~800 scientific papers).
Filed suit against the Albert Ellis Institute (June 6, 2007)
Lawyers acting for Ellis filed suit alleging breach of long-term contract and sought recovery of the 45 East 65th Street property.
Died in New York City (July 24, 2007)
Died at age 93 in his residence at the top floor of the Albert Ellis Institute, in the arms of his wife Debbie Joffe Ellis.
Personality Theories: Critical Perspectives (co-authored, posthumous)
Posthumous or near-posthumous publication with Mike and Lidia Abrams (2008 edition listed); continued scholarly legacy.
All Out! An Autobiography (posthumous publication)
Autobiography published posthumously by Prometheus Books (often cited as 2009/2010); dedicated to Debbie Joffe Ellis.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (book released, Albert & Debbie Joffe Ellis)
Book explaining essentials of REBT released by the American Psychological Association; co-authored posthumously with Debbie Joffe Ellis.
Posthumous APA Award For Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology (2013)
In the opening ceremony of the 2013 APA Convention Ellis was posthumously honored for outstanding lifetime contributions.
Debbie Joffe Ellis updates REBT book (2nd edition, 2019)
Debbie Joffe Ellis updated the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy book; continued dissemination of Ellis' legacy.
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